Five feature-length action adventures based on the Marvel comic.

In 'X-Men' (2000), mutants Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen) are former friends, but look set to become mortal enemies when fascist US senator Robert Frank Kelly calls for the registration of all humans with abnormal powers. While telepath Xavier, who runs an altruistic academy for superhuman 'X-Men', wishes to enlighten non-mutants and break down the prejudices which divide them, Magneto believes that the only solution is for the mutants to take over. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) - an aggressive loner with an admantium skeleton and the ability to heal his body of any wound - and teenager Rogue (Anna Paquin), who can absorb the life force of others simply by touching them, are selected by Xavier to join his academy, but it isn't long before Magneto's followers are attempting to capture them so that they can assist in his plan for world domination.

In the sequel, 'X-Men 2' (2003), Xavier, Wolverine and the X-Men find themselves in the firing line after a failed assassination attempt on the president points the finger at the school. It was in fact the mysterious teleporter Nightwalker (Alan Cumming) who ordered it, and, in an attempt to clear their names, the X-Men are led into a trap set by the evil William Stryker (Brian Cox), a mysterious scientist apparently working for the government. As it soon becomes evident that Stryker's agenda is to destroy all mutants, the X-Men need to call in the help of many of their old friends and foes, including Magneto, if they are to stop him.

In the third film, 'X-Men: The Last Stand' (2006), the mutants are given the option of giving up their powers and becoming human after a private laboratory supported by the government finds a way to use the DNA of a powerful boy to correct the mutants. However, Magneto opposes and decides to join a force to fight against the government and kill the mutant boy. Meanwhile, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) resurrects, uncontrolled by Xavier, and with the personality of the powerful Dark Phoenix. She destroys Cyclops (James Marsden) and Xavier and allies herself to the evil forces of Magneto, making them almost invincible.

The fourth film in the franchise, 'X-Men: Origins - Wolverine' (2009) is a prequel to the other three films. Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Wolverine, who, some 20 years before the action of the original movie, is seeking revenge on his half-brother Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) for the death of his girlfriend, and eventually signs up to the ominous Weapon X programme.

Finally, 'X-Men: First Class' (2011) charts the beginning of the saga, following Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) through their formative years in the 1960s as they come to terms with their newfound superpowers. Initially close friends who work together to fight against evil, the two men are driven apart by a conflict of opinion that ultimately leads to the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.

The definitive story of how Marvel Studios created the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as told by the studio's creatives, and the cast and crew of The Infinity Saga.

The Story of Marvel Studios is the first-ever, fully authorized, all-access history of Marvel Studios’ creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as told by the producers, writers, directors, concept artists, VFX artists, cast, and crew who brought it to life. Year-by-year, project-by-project, the studio’s founding and meteoric growth are described through detailed personal stories, anecdotes, and remembrances of noteworthy challenges, breakthrough milestones, and history-making successes. Together, these stories reveal how each of the films evolved into one ongoing cinematic narrative, as coauthors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry (The Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China, 2017) chart the complete production history of The Infinity Saga’s 23 movies (from 2008’s Iron Man all the way up to, and including, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home).

Bennett and Terry were granted unprecedented access to Marvel Studios, which led to this years-in-the-making tome containing personal stories from more than 200 interviews, including every Marvel Studios producer; MCU writers and directors; the stars of The Infinity Saga; concept artists, costume designers, composers, and the talents behind the MCU’s dazzling visual effects; and more. Featuring previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photography and archival production material, as well as personal photos and memorabilia from cast and crew, The Story of Marvel Studios is the essential, collectible chronicle of how the Marvel Cinematic Universe was brought to life.

Includes:

• 512 pages chart the entire history-making story of Marvel Studios—from its inception, through Phases One, Two, and Three, and to the dawn of Phase Four
• Featuring more than 200 interviews with the studio’s staff, cast, and crew for all 23 movies in The Infinity Saga
• Includes more than 500 production photos, plus never-before-seen filmmakers’ archival materials and personal memorabilia from the cast and crew
• Deluxe two-volume, foil-stamped cloth hardcover set, featuring exclusive cover art by Ryan Meinerding (Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development)
• Metallized reinforced slipcase with exclusive wrap-around MCU concept art montage, featuring art by Adi Granov, Ryan Meinerding, Andy Park, and Charlie Wen
• Foreword by Kevin Feige (President of Marvel Studios and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel)
• Afterword by Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man)

Four-volume collection featuring Marvel Comics superheroes. In 'X-Men Origins - Wolverine' (2009) Hugh Jackman reprises his role as clawed mutant Wolverine, formerly James Logan, in this blockbuster action prequel. The film, set over the years leading up to the events of the 2003 'X-Men' movie, follows the young Logan from the first awakenings of his mutant powers in childhood up to his amnesiac rebirth as Wolverine, and recounts his tumultuous relationship with his ferocious half-brother, Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), and the events that lead him to sign up to the ominous Weapon X programme. In 'Daredevil' (2003), Ben Affleck stars as Matt Murdock who, after being blinded by a spillage of toxic waste when he was a boy, develops his other senses to an incredible degree, allowing him to navigate the city with pinpoint accuracy. Now he works by day as a lawyer, and by night he becomes the Daredevil when he uses his supersenses to continue his fight against underworld supervillain Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan). In 'Elektra' (2005) Jennifer Garner plays Elektra Natchios, a hired assassin who is reunited with her old martial arts master, Stick (Terence Stamp). When she is given an assignment to kill Mark Miller (Goran Visnjic) and his daughter, Abby (Kristin Prout), her conscience gets the better of her and she decides to protect them instead, provoking the wrath of martial arts syndicate 'The Hand'. Finally, in 'Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (2007), the sequel to the 2005 adaptation of the comic book, Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Girl (Jessica Alba), and Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic (Ioan Gruffudd), prepare for their upcoming, superhero-studded wedding celebration. But Reed is preoccupied by reports of a bizarre, comet-like object hurtling toward the Earth with tremendous force. When the object hits the island of Manhattan, destroying much of the city in its wake, its identity becomes resoundingly clear: 'it' is actually a psychotic villain known as The Silver Surfer (voice of Laurence Fishburne) who aims to destroy the Earth. Sue and Reed decide to summon Ben Grimm, aka The Thing (Michael Chiklis), and Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch (Chris Evans), to take on the Surfer - and end up battling not only him, but an obnoxious army general (Andre Braugher) and the cantankerous Victor Von Doom (Julian MacMahon), who has broken out of the icy prison that held him captive at the end of the first movie.

Double bill of action films telling the story of the X-Men character Wolverine. In 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (2009), Hugh Jackman stars as the clawed mutant Wolverine formerly known as James Logan. The film, set in the years leading up to the action of 2003's 'X-Men', follows the young Logan from the first awakenings of his mutant powers in childhood up to his rebirth as Wolverine, and recounts his tumultuous relationship with his ferocious half-brother Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), and the events that led him to sign up to the ominous Weapon X programme. In 'The Wolverine' (2013), at a time following the events of 'X-Men 3' (2006), Logan finds himself vulnerable, alone and at his lowest point, after losing his intimate connections with the outside world. Drawn to modern-day Japan by the gratitude of a wealthy industrialist from his past who secretly covets his healing powers, Logan soon finds himself up against the deadly charms of a femme fatale known as 'The Viper' (Svetlana Khodchenkova), whilst having to confront samurai steel and lethal ninjas as his destiny draws him towards a winner-takes-all battle with his ultimate foe The Silver Samurai (Will Yun Lee).

Sci-fi action adventure sequel. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark, the billionaire industrialist also known as armoured superhero Iron Man. With the world now aware of his dual identity, Stark faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James 'Rhodey' Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony fights to protect his suit by forging new alliances - and confronting powerful new enemies. Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke co-star.

Big screen adaptation of the popular Marvel superhero comic. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is the billionaire owner of Stark Industries, a corporation that specialises in weapons development. When Tony is kidnapped by terrorists in Afghanistan, he is made to construct a devastating weapon. Instead, however, he builds a high-tech suit of armour and uses it to escape from captivity. When Stark discovers a conspiracy that could have serious repercussions for the whole world, he uses his new invention to try and stop the villains and save the world. Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars as Stark's secretary, Pepper Potts.

Superhero action adventure based on the 1940s Marvel Comics series. Chris Evans stars as Steve Rogers, who volunteers for a top secret military research project after being deemed physically unfit to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Second World War. The experiment transforms him into super-soldier Captain America, who - along with sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) - takes on the mighty power of Hitler's henchman Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).

Second action adventure sequel in which Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark, the billionaire industrialist also known as armoured superhero Iron Man. When Stark's personal life comes under attack he sets out to discover who is responsible and finds himself coming face-to-face with The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), the villainous commander of a terrorist group. With the lives of his loved ones in danger, Stark fights to save them and in the process begins to consider the truth about the connection between him and his powerful suit. The cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Jon Favreau, Don Cheadle and Rebecca Hall.

Action adventure sequel which sees Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as the Marvel Comics superhero Thor, based on the mythical Norse God of Thunder.

Earth and the Nine Realms come under attack from the powerful Malekith and his age-old army that have existed since even before the creation of the universe. With the enemy proving near impossible to defeat, Thor approaches his adoptive brother Loki for help, despite his villainous past.

Meanwhile, the hero becomes reacquainted with the woman he loves, astrophysicist Jane Foster, and takes her to Asgard in an attempt to protect her from harm.

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance.

As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

The ultimate superhero adventure.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. And the world's greatest superheroes will have to stand together to save us all!

Thor spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.

Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster, has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love.

It's while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson star in this action adventure sequel based on the Marvel Comics series. Set two years after 'The Avengers' (2012), the film follows superhero Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Evans) who is now living in Washington where he is trying to adjust to modern society. When a fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is attacked he teams up with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Johansson) to uncover a conspiracy and, with the help of the Falcon (Anthony Mackie), defeat a powerful enemy known as the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). The cast also includes Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Cobie Smulders, Dominic Cooper and Emily VanCamp.

Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas star in this sci-fi action movie following the Marvel Comics superhero. Decades earlier scientist Hank Pym (Douglas) invented a special suit that would allow him to transform to the size of an ant and give him super strength. The ageing hero approaches petty thief Scott Lang (Rudd) and, with the help of his daughter Hope Van Dyne (Lilly), Hank trains him to become the new Ant-Man. After Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) takes over his former mentor Pym's business he produces a similar suit to be worn by the military as well as a more powerful suit for himself, transforming him into Yellowjacket. This results in chaos and it's up to Ant-Man to use both his thieving skills and his newfound abilities to save the day.

Sustainable Development Strategies: Engineering, Culture and Economics provides policy guidance on good practice in developing and implementing strategies for sustainable development. The book integrates social, economic and environmental objectives, taking into account of their implications for different socioeconomic groups and for future generations. It examines and analyzes existing and new approaches to formulating a sustainable development strategy and its implementation through both quantitative and qualitative studies. In addition, it looks at the formulation of strategy and overcoming various issues from the standpoint of a diverse set of disciplines, including engineering, economics and social/political views.

By early 1963 the foundations of the Marvel Universe had been laid. Following the introduction of the Fantastic Four in 1961 came the amazing (Spider-Man), the astonishing (Ant-Man), the strange (Doctor, that is), the incredible (Hulk), the invincible (Iron Man) and the mighty (Thor). Still, Marvel editor in chief Stan Lee realized something was missing. "I was writing these characters and I thought it would fun to put them together in a team," he recalled. So Lee and artist Jack Kirby assembled Iron Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Thor, and the Hulk to create the Avengers. Right away it was clear this team was different. If the Fantastic Four were family, then the Avengers were the co-workers you didn't choose. Not everyone got along-the Hulk fought with everyone-but working together they could defeat the baddest of Marvel's bad guys, like Loki, Kang the Conqueror, the Masters of Evil, and Immortus. The lineup was ever changing: The Hulk departed, Captain America joined, and Ant-Man grew up to become Giant-Man. Then, remarkably, villains Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch became heroes-and Avengers-and the group's founding members shockingly departed, leaving Captain America to lead the newly-minted heroes. Relive the classic early adventures of Avengers Nos. 1-20 in an XXL-sized edition that's bigger than the Hulk's fist, weightier than Thor's hammer, and with more extras than Iron Man's armor. TASCHEN has attempted to create an ideal representation of these books as they were produced at the time of publication. The most pristine pedigreed comics have been cracked open and photographed for reproduction in close collaboration with Marvel and the Certified Guaranty Company. Each page has then been digitally remastered using modern retouching techniques to correct problems with the era's inexpensive, imperfect printing-as if hot off of a world-class 1960s printing press. Accompanying the stories are an original foreword by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and an in-depth history by the Eisner Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek that's illustrated with original art, little-seen photographs, and rare documents. This mighty collection about Earth's Mightiest Heroes is worthy of Tony Stark's library-or yours. Also available in a Collector's Edition of 1,000 numbered copies. (c) 2022 MARVEL About the series MARVEL COMICS LIBRARY is an exclusive, long-term collaboration between TASCHEN and Marvel. The rarest classic comics, including Spider-Man, Avengers, and Captain America are meticulously reproduced in their original glory, in extra-large format. The library offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lay their hands on the world's most desirable comics. Each volume includes an essay by a comic book historian along with hundreds of photos and artifacts, including rare original comic book artwork.